A Child's Introduction to French (mp3s)

A trio of chansons this week from A CHILD’S INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH, produced in 1960 by Golden Records. Words and music by Paul Parnes, musical direction by Jimmy Carroll, and featuring the voices of Iris Rabinou, Jean Michel, Noel Regny, Michael Stewart, and Gloria Regny.

The cover boldly proclaims that the album, “will teach your children and entertain everyone in the family.” While it’s doubtful that many young people found themselves fluent in conversational French by the end of the album, it does deliver on its promise of entertainment. The songs are charming and catchy, and songs from the album crop up from time to time on independent radio playlists.

The music is minimalist yet atmospheric, suggesting the background of a Paris café with accordion and guitar. The voices lively and engaging, without the saccharine quality endemic to children’s albums. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself humming these later in the day.

Let’s Dress Up – A quick trip through the wardrobe, first for the girls, then for the boys. You’ll learn how to dress like Mommy and go shopping (this is 1960, after all) or like Daddy and go to the office. Just don’t forget your handkerchief. The songwriter must have been plagued by chronic nasal infections, as he’s obsessed with making sure you’ve got that handkerchief.

We Love Oui – The strongest musical departure on the album, set to a thin mix of harpsichord and beatnik bongos that takes us into the smoky basement club scene, set against chirpy lyrics and an out of place flute on the choruses. Must be one of those hipster clubs that lets kids hang around and sip cappuccino all night. Iris Rabinou sells the sex as much as one can on a children’s record with her breathy singing and titillating “ouis.”

We Love Animals – This opens with a short song, listing various animals, then takes a hilarious turn. We’re taken to the farm, where we’re introduced to animals and the sounds they make, “12 Days of Christmas” style, with the sound effects repeating back to the start as each animal is introduced. Between le coq and the incessant cat yowls, this is guaranteed to make you smile.

This is a rather well-worn album serving up plenty of pops, suggesting that its original owner loved it and played it often. It’s also possible that it found its way into the possession of a French teacher at some point, as it does have a version of the Simon Says game that most middle-school French students are tortured with at some point during their first years of instruction.

I haven’t yet transferred the entire album, but I’d be happy to do so if there’s interest out there. Just let me know at hearitwow@gmail.com, and I’ll add it to an upcoming show.

365 Days 2: Electric Boogaloo

Here's some outstanding news to start the New Year. Otis Fodder has launched a second installment of The 365 Days Project, and this time, it's personal. Actually, this time it's got more space, which means more tasty downloads for you to enjoy.

Each day for the rest of the year, you can look forward to new and unusual audio to add to your collection. The original, as regular listeners know, was one of my greatest inspirations in launching Hear It Wow, and I'm looking forward to what this year has in store.